It's like comparing two versions of the same film.
Utaha sat on the sofa, snacks and drinks prepared, watching from start to finish.
Fully immersed in the experience, Utaha could accurately recall most of the plot and details of the film.
But Chisato was different. He hadn't watched the original film.
Instead, he opted for a condensed and simplified version, a long film compressed into just a few minutes.
Afterwards, he could say he had watched the film, and could recount the main plot, character relationships, and key moments.
But that was about it.
Many details were omitted in the simulation.
One day later, a week later, a year later, ten years later…
You were born, you grew up, you died, and you were buried with your loved one. The simulation ends…
When nothing important happened, the simulator showed text like this.
Simplified to the extreme.
But a towering building isn't just praised for its magnificent appearance; it's supported by countless steel bars, concrete, and bricks buried deep within.
Day after day, the companionship and interactions are those inconspicuous stones and bricks. Without them, could the building still stand strong?
"We went on a road trip to the seaside during college."
"I got a sea urchin spike in my foot, the car broke down, and you carried me for nearly ten kilometers to find a small town where a doctor bandaged my wound…"
"Don't you remember that?"
After initial hesitation, Utaha began to recount those unforgettable scenes and moments, seeking confirmation.
Chisato shook his head under her earnest gaze.
"Sorry… I didn't see such a scene in the dream."
"Then… what about the night you stayed over at my house after drinking too much and losing consciousness when you met my parents for the first time?"
"I don't remember that either."
"When you proposed to me and discovered I was pregnant, and the first time I called you 'Dad'… did you…"
"…I'm sorry."
Chisato sighed and deliberately looked away from her.
Utaha's eyes, now dull and full of disappointment and sadness, made him feel heartbroken just by looking at them.
Wait…
Heartbroken???
Chisato slowly placed his right hand over his heart.
The feeling under his fingers was a strong, powerful heartbeat, different from usual.
When he looked up again, Utaha had changed her position, no longer kneeling with her legs under her but sitting normally, facing the TV.
She bowed her head, her face devoid of the previous liveliness, replaced by despondency.
That wasn't the expression Utaha should have; she should be more proud and spirited.
"…However, I do remember some things quite clearly."
She wasn't initially going to mention this, but her heart softened.
"Don't leave anything out. Tell me everything."
Utaha's eyes regained their bright light.
She had even imagined herself as the heroine in a classic Korean drama, the amnesiac male lead's love interest.
Fortunately, Chisato's words reignited her hope.
It didn't have to be all remembered. If there were just some memories left, that was fine. She could fill in the rest later.
But Chisato hesitated, seeming reluctant to continue.
"It's not that important. It's fine if I don't say it."
Utaha frowned in dissatisfaction.
"Even so, I still want to hear it."
"…Hmm."
"Is it difficult?"
"It's not really difficult. I just thought you might find it a bit awkward to hear."
Awkward to hear?
Utaha looked at Chisato's expression and, considering his words, had an inkling of what he was getting at.
She remembered the morning she woke up, the wet stain on the sheets because of her body, and tentatively asked,
"On our wedding night, do you remember what happened?"
"Yeah, I remember."
"Can you tell me the details?"
"A total of four times. The first time you initiated it, but you quickly ran out of energy."
"After that, I took the lead… Sorry, I shouldn't have gone against your will the last time. Your eyes were red from crying."
Chisato sincerely apologized.
"…"
A faint blush spread across Utaha's cheeks.
But with her experience as a wife in two lives, she didn't show the shyness typical of her age.
Also, she hadn't actually resisted much during the last time on their wedding night.
She had unexpectedly felt like playing the role of the tragic heroine being forced, and had gotten too into it.
But there was no need to explain this now.
"So, besides what you just mentioned, you still clearly remember… those things."
"I remember them, but not everything. However, the important moments when emotions ran high, I remember them clearly."
Those important moments were preserved as CGs, so they could be recalled anytime if needed.
"Hmm…"
The situation became a bit awkward.
Even Utaha was feeling a bit confused, and the atmosphere between them became strange.
The aroma of coffee filled the living room, but there was also a faint, almost undetectable scent that somehow made the atmosphere feel intoxicating.
His phone vibrated in his pocket.
Chisato checked it. It was a message from his mother asking if he had been eating well.
After replying briefly, he put his phone back in his pocket.
Having achieved his goal for today, he decided to take his leave.
"Are you leaving now?"
"Yeah, since it's getting late."
The sky outside had changed from bright to dark red.
It was already evening.
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